Stars of the Week

Central Star of the Week: Gus Elbert - Austin Bruins

Central Division Star of the Week: Gus Elbert, Defenseman, Austin Bruins

The Austin Bruins were singing “O Captain! My Captain!” as Gus Elbert delivered a four-point performance last week. The 6-foot-1 defenseman is a veteran of the Bruins organization and is in his final season of junior hockey wearing the gold and black. Starting on Thursday night, the North Dakota native helped to even the score against the St. Cloud Norsemen, providing a secondary assist on Tevin Stukel’s game-tying goal. Moving into Friday night, the ‘06 defenseman provided another assist, this time on Victor Nilsson-Dalsjo’s tally late into the second period. As the matchup was tied 2-2 and forced into overtime, the two Central Division foes exchanged chances during the entire frame. With 10 seconds remaining on the clock, Elbert would get the opportunity to light the lamp on a penalty shot. With the game on his stick, Elbert delivered for the Bruins and sealed the 3-2 overtime victory at the Riverside Arena. His two-point night marked his third multi-point game of the season.

Heading into Saturday night, the North Dakota native produced his final assist of the weekend, this time with a primary feed on Victor Nilsson-Dalsjo’s second-period goal. For the week, Elbert skated to a four-point performance thanks to his work from the blue line.

Head coach of the Bruins, Steve Howard, describes how valuable Elbert has been to the Bruins organization on and off the ice.

“Gus had a big weekend for us and helped us get four of a possible six points. He is playing in his third season with the Bruins, and it has been great to see the growth in his development as a player, a leader, and a person. He does things the right way, and we are happy that he’s been recognized as the Player of the Week.”

2nd Star: Mark Evans, F, Bismarck Bobcats

3rd Star: Kirill Borodulin, F, Watertown Shamrocks

 

East Star of the Week: Jack Sullivan - Johnstown Tomahawks

East Division Star of the Week: Jack Sullivan, Forward, Johnstown Tomahawks

Making an offensive mark on the scoresheet in his second weekend back as a Johnstown Tomahawk, Jack Sullivan had a seven-point performance for the Pennsylvania-based club. Starting on Friday night, the New York native helped to get the Tomahawks scoring started with a primary assist on Jacob Duval’s first-period tally. The ‘06 defenseman would show up on the scoresheet again, this time carrying the puck across the full sheet of ice early into the third period and found twine with a wrist shot to regain the Tomahawks’ lead. His final point on Friday was scored in empty-netter fashion with a minute on the clock for Johnstown. Thanks to his help on the ice, the Tomahawks skated to a 7-4 victory.

Moving into Saturday night, the Johnstown veteran helped to extend the East Division's club lead with a helper on Alex Gomes’ first-period tally. Moving into the second period, the New York native would provide the setup to Ethan Coots’ power-play goal, helping to add to the Johnstown lead. As the contest progressed into the final frame, Sullivan would light the lamp from the slot with 9:30 left on the clock. The ‘06 defenseman would end his night with one more helper, this time on Charlie Zetterkvist’s short-handed empty-netter. The Tomahawks skated to a 6-3 win thanks to a four-point performance from the second-year defenseman.

For the weekend, Sullivan registered seven points, tallying three goals while recording four assists for the East Division team.

Head coach of the Tomahawks, Geoff Beauparlant, explains how Sullivan has been a critical piece in their success as of late.

“When Jack rejoined our group a few weeks ago, we felt we were adding a piece to the overall puzzle. He adds another dynamic element to our attack from our backend. He is all gas.”

2nd Star: Nate Porter, F, Northeast Generals

3rd Star: Brent Beswick, F, Danbury Hat Tricks

 

Midwest Star of the Week: Roman Batih - Minnesota Mallards

Midwest Division Star of the Week: Roman Batih, Goaltender, Minnesota Mallards

The 6-foot-5 netminder from Ukraine, Roman Batih, showcased a dominating performance in the blue paint for the Mallards. Starting on Friday night, the ‘06 goaltender turned aside 37 out of 38 shots by the Fairbanks Ice Dogs to help his team to a tight 2-1 victory at the Big Dipper Ice Arena. The lone Fairbanks goal was scored late into the third period on the power play. From that lone contest, Batih recorded a single-game best .974 save percentage and 1.00 goals-against average.

Moving into Saturday night, the Minnesota Mallards had another tight battle with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs, this time being forced into extra minutes and an eventual shootout. The second-year NAHL veteran faced a career-high 47 shots by the Ice Dogs and, in the process, stopped a career-high 45 shots by the Alaska-based club. As the matchup went into a skills contest, Batih stood tall in the blue paint, recording his second shootout win of the season.

For the weekend, the ‘06 netminder posted a 1.44 goals-against average, a .960 save percentage, and back-to-back wins in the crease for the Mallards. He made 82 saves in 85 shots faced across the two games played.

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The General Manager of the Mallards shared more on how valuable Baith has been to the Minnesota-based club.

“Roman became available to us about three weeks ago, and he has helped calm things down. One of his biggest attributes is his compete level; not only in games, but in practice, he always is the best player on the ice. He gives us a chance to win each night.”

2nd Star: Wyatt Dyck, F, Janesville Jets

3rd Star: Dean Andrews, D, Fairbanks Ice Dogs

 

Mountain Star of the Week: Daniel Dmitrievsky - Billings Cattle Punchers

Mountain Division Star of the Week: Daniel Dmitrievsky, Goaltender, Billings Cattle Punchers

Standing tall in the blue paint over the weekend was Daniel Dmitrievsky for the Billings Cattle Punchers. The 6-foot netminder from New Jersey recorded his first shutout on Saturday night. The ‘06 goaltender turned aside all 32 shots by the Pueblo Peppers to notch his second win of the 2026-27 season. This lone contest marked his best performance of the season.

Head coach of the Cattle Punchers, Steve Haddon, describes what type of athlete Dmitrievsky has been for the organization.

“Dan has been a true professional and a great teammate while he has been waiting for his opportunity in the net. His patience and his focus, along with his preparation each day, have helped him be ready for when he is called upon. We are extremely happy to see him have success. We know he will be successful at the next level.”

2nd Star: Cooper Struckel, F, Ogden Mustangs

3rd Star: Micah Seery, D, Billings Cattle Punchers

 

South Star of the Week: Ben Vatis - Odessa Jackalopes

South Division Star of the Week: Ben Vatis, Goaltender, Odessa Jackalopes

Hailing from the Grand Canyon State, Ben Vatis showcased back-to-back dominating performances in the blue paint for the Odessa Jackalopes over the weekend. Vatis is a veteran of Odessa, playing with the South Division club in his final season of junior hockey. Starting on Thursday night, the ‘06 netminder played a critical role in keeping the Jackalopes tight in the contest with the El Paso Rhinos. The 6-foot-1 goaltender turned aside 35 out of 37 shots, helping to lift his team to a 4-2 win on home ice. His 35-save performance is the second-most amount of saves he has made in a lone contest this season.

Moving into Saturday night, Vatis would secure the series win for the Jackalopes, this time recording a 22-save performance for the Texas-based team. He registered a 1.00 goals-against average and a .957 save percentage from the matchup.

For the weekend, the Arizona native recorded a 1.50 goals-against average, a .955 save percentage, and two wins for Odessa. In addition to his work on the ice, Vatis was named as an alternate captain for the South Division club.

Head coach of the Jackalopes, Brian Sherry, went into detail on what it means to have Vatis on the team.

“Ben is off to a great start; his work ethic and leadership have played a major role in our team's early success.”

2nd Star: Tyler Wilmoth, F, Oklahoma Warriors

3rd Star: Olivier Laverdiere, F, Oklahoma Warriors

 

Central Star of the Week: Lucca Ori - Minot Minotauros

Central Division Star of the Week: Lucca Ori, Forward, Minot Minotauros

There was nothing boring about Lucca Ori’s performance over the weekend. The NAHL veteran spotlighted a two-goal performance for the Tauros, lifting the North Dakota-based team to the top of the Central Division standings. The Illinois native recorded his first goal against the Austin Bruins on Friday night. With the game tied 1-1 until the final moments of the contest, Ori found twine in game-winning fashion with a little over two minutes on the clock.

His next point of the weekend was on Saturday night when Ori opened the scoring for Minot five minutes into the second frame. The NAHL veteran lit the lamp with a backdoor goal. The ‘06 forward helped his team to a 3-1 win and a weekend sweep over the Austin Bruins.

Head coach of the Minotauros, Cody Campbell, explains how valuable Ori was for the Tauros over the weekend.

“ Lucca had a great weekend for us. His production was evident on the scoresheet, and he had a huge goal to give us the lead late on Friday. Additionally, his play away from the puck has improved significantly from last year, and he has become a reliable player on the penalty kill for us. We are excited for Lucca’s success to be recognized and look forward to him continuing to develop as he pursues opportunities at the college level.”

2nd Star: David Hruby, F, Aberdeen Wings

3rd Star: Axel Kylin, G, St. Cloud Norsemen

 

East Star of the Week: Paxton Couture - Philadelphia Rebels

East Division Star of the Week: Paxton Couture, Forward, Philadelphia Rebels

Hailing from Providence, Rhode Island, Paxton Couture earned his first Star of the Week honors thanks to a four-point performance last week. The ‘09 forward got his scoring started on Wednesday with a two-point night for Philadelphia. He first showed up on the scoresheet with an assist on Oscar Djurberg’s tally midway through the opening period. As the contest progressed, the score would even to 2-2, forcing the game into overtime. The 17-year-old would deliver big for the Rebels in the extra frame as he lit the lamp in top-shelf fashion. The 5-foot-11 forward secured the 3-2 victory while recording his third consecutive two-point performance.

Moving into Saturday night, Couture would play a big role in the Rebels’ 3-2 win over the Elmira Aviators. The Rhode Island native opened the scoring two minutes into the contest by finding twine backhanded on the power play. Couture would light the lamp one more time in the matchup, this time scoring early into the third period to help retake the lead. This two-goal performance marked the first time the ‘09 skater recorded a multi-goal night in his junior hockey career.

For the week, Couture spotlighted a four-point performance, tallying three goals while recording an assist.

Head coach of the Rebels, Justin Hale, went into detail on what he has seen from Couture so far this season.

“We’re really proud of Paxton and the work he continues to put in every day. His performance this past week is a reflection of his commitment to daily improvement. He’s been a big part of our team’s success, and it’s great to see him recognized for his efforts. He’s earned this honor.”

2nd Star: Aidan Patton, F, New Hampshire Mountain Kings

3rd Star: Ethan Moser, G, New Hampshire Mountain Kings

 

Midwest Star of the Week: Ben Green - Fairbanks Ice Dogs

Midwest Division Star of the Week: Ben Green, Forward, Fairbanks Ice Dogs

The 16-year-old from Scottsdale, Arizona, Ben Green, put on an offensively dominant performance over the weekend for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. The first-year Ice Dogs showed up on the scoresheet twice on Friday night. Green recorded his first point with an assist on Christopher Hodges’ second-period tally. The ‘09 forward would go on to add a helper on Oliver Barna’s power-play goal in the final frame. The Ice Dogs skated to a 4-1 victory with the help of Green’s two-point night.

Moving into Saturday, the 6-foot righty recorded an NAHL-career high for himself. Green recorded his first point of the night with a tip-in goal for the Ice Dogs late into the third period. The 16-year-old continued to show off his offensive scoring on a breakaway early into the second frame, scoring five-hole on the Wisconsin Windigo. The Arizona native added to the Ice Dogs’ lead later in the period when he secured a hat trick. Green’s night did not end there as he provided the primary feed to Gage Leonard’s tally early into the third period. His final point of the night would be recorded with another primary helper, this time on the power play for Dub Eunice III’s goal. Green skated to a five-point performance, helping to lift the Ice Dogs to a dominating 9-2 win.

For the weekend, Green posted a seven-point weekend. The 16-year-old scored three goals and recorded four assists for the Alaska-based club.

Head coach of the Ice Dogs, Dakota Bell, describes what it means to see Green earn this honor.

“As one of the youngest players in the league, it’s great to see Ben recognized as Midwest Division Star of the Week. His performance this past weekend was a direct reflection of the tremendous two weeks of practice he put together since our last game. He played a mature, 200-foot brand of hockey, consistently moved his feet, and competed hard in all areas of the ice. When he plays that way his skill takes over as he is a natural goal scorer and he’s a lot of fun to watch.”

Bell went on to share his excitement for Green’s future.

“Ben has an extremely bright future in the game, and we’re excited to be a part of his development. He’s a young player who is only going to continue to improve as he gains experience, and he’ll be an important piece of our team throughout the season.”

2nd Star: Grant Dillard, F, Janesville Jets

3rd Star: Dub Eunice III, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs

 

Mountain Star of the Week: Ty Simonet - Ogden Mustangs

Mountain Division Star of the Week: Ty Simonet, Defenseman, Ogden Mustangs

The 19-year-old from the Garden State, Ty Simonet, showed off how he knows how to find the net for the Ogden Mustangs over the weekend. On Friday night, the 5-foot-9 blueliner helped to open the scoring when he provided the primary helper on Sam Gero’s power-play tally in the first period. The ‘06 NAHL veteran would light the lamp later on in the contest, marking his first one of the season, when he carried the puck across the whole sheet of ice in the third period. Simonet skated to a two-point performance, helping to keep the Mustangs in the battle against the Billings Cattle Punchers.

Heading into Saturday night, Simonet recorded another two-point performance for the Mustangs. The New Jersey native lit the lamp from the blue line early into the third period while on the man advantage. His next point would come in the final moments of the third period as he helped to even the score and force an overtime period. The 19-year-old provided the primary helper to Cooper Struckel’s one-timer goal on the power play. The Mustangs would eventually take the contest in overtime thanks to Simonet’s playmaking.

For the two-game set, Simonet featured a four-point weekend, recording two goals and two assists for Ogden.

Head coach of the Mustangs, Kenny Orlando, went into detail on how valuable Simonet has been for the Mustangs.

“Ty has been a staple for us on the back end so far this season. We are able to lean on him in crucial moments of the game, and he finds ways to step up at the right time. He had a big weekend this past weekend against Billings, especially with his opportunities on the power play. He brings a consistent threat from the blue line every shift he is out there.”

Orlando went on to explain how the NAHL veteran is a leader on the team.

“He has also been a leader who is in touch with the locker room, helping us set a standard within our group. Guys look up to him both on and off the ice. We are excited to see what Ty can bring moving forward this season.”

2nd Star: Tyler Atchison, F, Idaho Falls Spud Kings

3rd Star: Mykyta Bondariev, D, Pueblo Peppers

 

South Star of the Week: Antoine Cormier - Shreveport Mudbugs

South Division Star of the Week: Antoine Cormier, Defenseman, Shreveport Mudbugs

The 18-year-old from Quebec, Canada, Antoine Cormier, played a major role from the blue line for the Mudbugs over the weekend. The ‘08 skater got his offensively strong performance started with a goal on Friday night. Cormier found twine from the blue line early into the second period to help break the scoring deadlock for the Mudbugs.

The next time the first-year Shreveport defenseman would show up on the scoresheet would be on Sunday afternoon against the Odessa Jackalopes. Cormier would find twine six minutes into the contest, scoring from the faceoff circle for the Mudbugs. Less than 10 minutes later, the blueliner helped to take the lead for Shreveport as he provided an assist on Duke Ehrhard’s tally. His final point of the contest would be the eventual game-winner for the Mudbugs as he went bar down late into the middle frame while on the man advantage. Shreveport skated to a 3-2 victory thanks to a three-point performance by Cormier.

For the weekend, the first-year NAHL skater recorded two goals and two assists for the Mudbugs’ Texas road trip.

Head coach of the Mudbugs, Jason Campbell, describes how valuable Cormier has been to the Shreveport organization on and off the ice.

“Antoine has been a great addition to the Mudbugs' d-core this year. He’s a young, dynamic defenseman who is playing with confidence. He’s a young man with great character who contributes in a major way to the positive culture in Shreveport.”

2nd Star: Ryan Staples, F, Odessa Jackalopes

3rd Star: Logan Hughes, G, El Paso Rhinos

 

Central Star of the Week: Linus Vieillard - Bismarck Bobcats

Central Division Star of the Week: Linus Vieillard, Goaltender, Bismarck Bobcats

The 6-foot-1 goaltender from Berlin, Germany, Linus Vieillard, spotlighted a dominant weekend in the blue paint for the Bismarck Bobcats over the weekend. Starting on Friday night, the ‘06 netminder turned aside all 18 shots on net, securing his first shutout of the season. Moving into Saturday night, Vieillard turned aside 23 out of 24 shots and an overtime frame by the Austin Bruins to notch the sweep over the divisional foe.

For the weekend, the first-year NAHL netminder posted an impressive 0.49 goals-against average and .976 save percentage from the weekend set.

Head coach of the Bobcats, Garrett Roth, states how impressive Vieillard was in the blue paint for Bismarck over the weekend.

“Linus had a fantastic weekend for us in net and played a huge part in helping us get our two wins. He was extremely calm and poised during the two-game set, which allowed our guys to play to our strengths. Linus has shown early on this season the caliber of goaltender that he is, and we are pleased to see him get honored this week for the work he has put in. Linus continues to shine in big moments, which has become a regular occurrence for him with the experience he has had at the junior level. He is proving on a daily basis how ready he is to get the opportunity at the college level and prove he can match the success that he has displayed up to this point in his career.”

2nd Star: Brenden Espenell, D, Bismarck Bobcats

3rd Star: Thomas Lahtinen, D, Minot Minotauros

 

East Star of the Week: Sam Esposito - Johnstown Tomahawks

East Division Star of the Week: Sam Esposito, Forward, Johnstown Tomahawks

The 5-foot-8 lefty from Westfield, New Jersey, Sam Esposito, recorded a NAHL career-high weekend with the Johnstown Tomahawks over the weekend. The ‘06 forward spotlighted a six-point weekend against the Philadelphia Rebels. His high-scoring weekend started on Friday night with a three-point night. Esposito would break the scoring deadlock with a power-play tally with three minutes on the clock in the second frame. His next point of the night would come midway through the third period as he regained the Johnstown lead for his team. His final point of the night would come in the overtime period as the Garden State skater provided the primary feed to Conor Griffin’s overtime tally. He skated away with his first two-goal and multi-point contest as a Tomahawk. In addition to recording an NAHL career best, he also contributed to every goal in the Tomahawks’ 3-2 overtime victory.

Moving into Saturday night, the second-year NAHL skater recorded his second three-point contest, this time recording one goal and two assists. His first point would be notched with an assist on Conner Maione’s power-play tally two minutes into the second frame. Later on in the period, Esposito found twine in the second frame with a wrist shot from the point to even the score 4-4 on the power play. His final point of the night would also come on the man advantage by providing another assist on Conner Maione’s goal in the final frame. The Tomahawks skate to a 6-4 victory and a sweep on the weekend.

Head coach of the Tomahawks, Geoff Beauparlant, explains the value that Esposito brings to the team.

“Sam joined us in the offseason, and we knew he would eventually be an offensive threat for our club. It did take a bit for him to adjust, but he has found his groove and excelled over the past couple of weekends.”

2nd Star: Conor Griffin, D, Johnstown Tomahawks

3rd Star: Conor O’Brien, G, Elmira Aviators

 

Midwest Star of the Week: Jakeb Lynch - Minnesota Wilderness

Midwest Division Star of the Week: Jakeb Lynch, Forward, Minnesota Wilderness

The NAHL’s top point-getter, Jakeb Lynch, earns his second Midwest Star of the Week honors thanks to a seven-point performance against the Janesville Jets. The ‘07 forward on Friday night recorded an NAHL career-high five points in the Wilderness’ 6-1 victory. He recorded his first point in primary assist fashion less than a minute into the contest. He provided the feed to Ferry Netusil's opening-period goal. Later in the frame, Lynch scored his first goal of the night in one-timer fashion to extend the lead to 2-0 for the Wilderness. Moving into the second period, the Nebraska native would set up Cole Cheeseman’s power-play tally and record his third point of the night for the Wilderness. Lynch would not be done showing up on the scoresheet as he lights the lamp in backhanded fashion with a little over five minutes left in the second period. The final dagger of the night would come in one-timer fashion for the ‘07 forward as he found twine a few minutes later on the power play. Lynch secured his first hat trick of the season and played a vital role in lifting the Wilderness to a big 6-1 road win.

Moving into Saturday night, the Miami University commit continued to showcase his playmaking ways at the Mercyhealth Arena. Lynch helped to get the scoring started early into the contest as he provided an assist on Cole Cheeseman’s tally four minutes into the contest.  It would take until some of the final moments in the third frame for Lynch’s name to show up on the scoresheet. While the Wilderness were 5-on-3 in the final period, the ‘07 forward found twine in one-timer fashion to help cut the Wilderness deficit. The Nebraska skater ended his night with a two-point performance, contributing to two out of the three goals scored by the Midwest Division club.

Head coach of the Wilderness, Sam Graham, went into detail on what it means to see Lynch earn recognition.

“It’s only October, and Lynch has already earned his second honor! I don’t see him slowing down anytime soon. He’s a competitor who puts in the work every single day, and it’s great to see him get recognized for it. We’re lucky to have him, proud of what he’s accomplishing, and excited for what’s to come for him.”

2nd Star: Ryan Lucarrelli, F, Minnesota Mallards

3rd Star: Matthew McGovern, F, Janesville Jets

 

Mountain Star of the Week: Josh Sardo - Idaho Falls Spud Kings

Mountain Division Star of the Week: Joshua Sardo, Forward, Idaho Falls Spud Kings

The 5-foot-10 Illinois native, Joshua Sardo, played a big offensive role on the ice in Idaho Falls’ sweep over the Billings Cattle Punchers. The NAHL veteran got his eight-point performance started with an assist on Jackson Stocker’s tally on Friday night. The ‘06 righty moved into Saturday night recording an NAHL career-high four points for the Spud Kings. His name would show up on the scoresheet in back-to-back fashion when he provided an assist on Jackson Stocker’s two goals in the second frame. Less than three minutes later, Sardo would provide the setup to Tyler Atchison’s power-play goal. His final point of the night would come from the Illinois native lighting the lamp and extending the Spud Kings’ lead to 6-0. Idaho Falls skated to a dominant 9-2 victory.

Moving into Sunday afternoon, the ‘06 forward recorded his first multi-goal performance of the season. His playmaking kicked off in the second period as he provided the primary assist on Jackson Stocker’s tally 90 seconds into the frame. Sardo would go on to score back-to-back goals in the period for the Spud Kings. His first tally would come in speedy fashion as he finds twine backhanded and in diving fashion. The ‘06 forward would then score in one-timer fashion on the power play 10 minutes later to extend Idaho Falls' advantage to 6-0. The Spud Kings skated to a weekend sweep thanks to Sardo’s eight-point weekend.

Head coach of the Spud Kings, Anthony Bohn, described how impressive Sardo was over the weekend.

“Josh had a great weekend; his personality and drive match his goals. I am super proud of how he has developed since we first met when he was a U15 player. This is very well deserved, and we hope he can continue developing.”

2nd Star: Jackson Stocker, F, Idaho Falls Spud Kings

3rd Star: Max Kogler, G, Pueblo Peppers

 

South Star of the Week: Porter Bayer - New Mexico Ice Wolves

South Division Star of the Week: Porter Bayer, Forward, New Mexico Ice Wolves

The 6-foot forward from the State of Hockey, Porter Bayer, played a huge role in lifting the Ice Wolves to a weekend sweep over the El Paso Rhinos. The first-year skater kicked off his weekend scoring both goals in the 2-1 overtime win on Friday night. His first tally of the night would be scored in the final minutes of regulation as he found the net off a rebound in front of El Paso’s net. His next goal would come in the extra frame as he scored in breakaway fashion for the Ice Wolves. Moving into Saturday night, the Blaine, Minnesota, native showcased his third-period scoring once again, this time with 1:19 left on the clock. Bayer finds the twine by scoring over the shoulder of El Paso’s netminder, forcing the game into overtime once again.

Bayer skated to a three-goal weekend, contributing to every goal but one in New Mexico’s sweep over El Paso.

Head coach of the Ice Wolves, Kyle McKenzie, described seeing Bayer earn recognition.

“We’re thrilled to see Porter being rewarded for his hard work. It can be frustrating for players stepping into junior hockey and not having instant success, but Porter’s mindset and willingness to stick with the process have helped his game”

2nd Star: Leo Gabriel, G, Lone Star Brahmas

3rd Star: Kristers Plepis, G, Shreveport Mudbugs

 

Central Star of the Week: Filip Henriksson - Aberdeen Wings

Central Division Star of the Week: Filip Henriksson, Forward, Aberdeen Wings

Exceeding on the ice for the Aberdeen Wings was the 5-foot-10 Swede over the weekend. Filip Henriksson was an offensive force for the Central Division club, recording an impressive eight points across the two-game set against the St. Cloud Norsemen. The first-year forward recorded a NAHL career-high on Friday night, registering five points in the contest. The ‘06 skater logged his first point of the night with a primary assist on Payne Riffey’s first-period tally. The 5-foot-10 righty would go on to score his first goal of the night late in the second period on a 2-on-1 rush. Less than a minute later, Henriksson provided a feed to Melker Hof, helping him to find twine and extend the Wings’ score to 5. Heading into the final period of regulation, the Swedish skater lit the lamp early in the frame, scoring in backdoor fashion. Henriksson registered his final point on the scoresheet with another assist. He helped to provide the setup for Payne Riffey’s second tally of the night. The Wings skated to an 8-5 victory and clinched Scott Langer’s 800th win as a head coach in the process.

Moving into Saturday night, Henriksson helped to get the scoring started quickly into the contest by firing from the blue line, which provided the setup to Payne Riffey’s first-period goal. That playmaking would continue into the second frame as the 5-foot-10 forward logged another helper, this time for Ari Popovskiy’s tally. Henriksson provided the primary feed for Popovskiy’s first goal of the season. The Swede would notch his final point of the night in one-timer fashion from the point in the third frame. With less than three minutes on the clock, Henriksson lights the lamp and aids the Wings in their quest to battle from behind.

For the weekend, the first-year Wing recorded eight points, tallying three goals while producing five assists. Friday night spotlighted his second two-goal contest of the season. The ‘06 forward skated away with a +7 rating on the ice while recording his first game-winning goal of the year.

Head coach of the Wings, Scott Langer, states what impresses him the most about Henriksson.

“Filip is a player who possesses skill, speed, and IQ that can separate him on any given night. Filip is acclimating very well to the North American style of play, and we saw that this weekend.”

2nd Star: Mate Tardi, F, St. Cloud Norsemen

3rd Star: Mason Gudridge, G, Watertown Shamrocks

 

East Star of the Week: Conor O'Brien - Elmira Aviators

East Division Star of the Week: Conor O’Brien, Goaltender, Elmira Aviators

There is no lying about Conor O’Brien’s impressive performance over the weekend. The 6-foot-1 netminder showcased his defensive dominance in the blue paint for the Aviators against the East Division leaders, the Maryland Black Bears. Friday night featured the Georgia native recording an NAHL career-high 58 saves. O’Brien broke Elmira’s single-game save record and helped to defeat the Black Bears in 3-1 fashion on the road. The lone goal scored by Maryland came after three rebounded shots and a scramble in the blue paint. The Black Bears commanded the puck in the second and third periods and had three times more shots on goal. From that lone contest, O’Brien recorded a .983 save percentage, a 1.00 goals-against average and a 58-save performance.

Moving into Saturday night, the Georgia native and his team were in a back-and-forth battle with the Elmira Aviators. As the contest was tight between the teams, O’Brien continued to keep the Aviators in the contest with timely saves. The Black Bears, like the night before, commanded the second and third periods, this time outshooting the Aviators 2-1. The ‘07 netminder would end the night turning aside 34 out of the 38 shots on net. Despite recording a loss, O’Brien’s ability between the pipes was in large part of the Aviators’ ability to stay competitive in contests against the reigning champions.

Head coach of the Aviators, Leeor Shtrom, states what has impressed him about the first-year netminder.

“Conor has been really good for us in all of his starts. He’s given our team a chance to win. He stayed patient and focused since the beginning of the season. Once he got his opportunity, he took advantage of it. We are happy for him, and fortunate to have him on our team.”

2nd Star: Aidan Petroff, F, New Hampshire Mountain Kings

3rd Star: Ben Short, F, New Hampshire Mountain Kings

 

Midwest Star of the Week: Ferry Netusil - Minnesota Wilderness

Midwest Division Star of the Week: Ferry Netusil, Forward, Minnesota Wilderness

The 5-foot-10 Western Michigan commit, Ferry Netusil, showcased his offensive prowess against a tough Anchorage Wolverines team over the weekend. The second-year Wilderness skater showed up on the scoresheet in every game across the three-game set, logging six goals for the Minnesota-based club. Starting on Friday night, the Praha, Czechian native found twine late into the third frame with a snipe in top-shelf fashion. The Wilderness would fall in 3-1 fashion; however, Netusil's playmaking ability was evident in the first contest of the weekend.

Moving into Saturday night, the top scorer of the Wilderness recorded his third NAHL career hat trick; however, this one marked his first of his 2026-27 campaign. Netusil gets his scoring started late in the first period, firing from the face-off circle 19 seconds into Minnesota’s power play. His next tally of the night would also come on the man advantage, this time midway through the second period. Netusil lights the lamp in one-timer fashion from the face-off circle once again to help regain the Wilderness’ lead. His final tally of the night would be late in the third frame while the two teams were playing 4-on-4 hockey. Anchorage’s netminder was pulled in the contest to give the Wolverines the man advantage on the ice; however, Netusil was able to tap in his third and final goal with an empty net, sealing the hat trick. The Wilderness would end the night with a 9-5 victory at the Sullivan Arena.

Heading into Sunday afternoon, the Wilderness would finish out their Alaska road trip with one more game against the Anchorage Wolverines. Just like on Friday night, the Western Michigan commit showcased his playmaking ways late into the third period. While the Minnesota-based team was down 5-2, the ‘07 forward got to work and scored two quick tallies. His first goal was on the man advantage in one-timer fashion from the face-off circle. His quick shot is lethal during those power-play moments for the Wilderness. His second goal of the night would be scored from the point with 21 seconds left on the clock. The Wilderness would eventually fall in 5-4 fashion; however, his late-game heroics kept his team in the hunt.

For the weekend, Netusil skated to a six-goal performance, recording three of his tallies on the power play. This season, the Western Michigan commit has shown up on the scoresheet in nine of his 10 games played so far. His offensive playmaking has been a cornerstone of the team’s scoring ways this year.

Head coach of the Wilderness, Sam Graham, states why Netusil continues to be an impact player.

“Ferry is a dynamic player who can change the momentum of a game. He’s a threat every time he steps on the ice, and he showed that with six goals this weekend. This is well-deserved recognition for him.”

2nd Star: Braden Hansberger, F, Kenai River Brown Bears

3rd Star: Grant Dillard, F, Janesville Jets

Mountain Star of the Week: Lincoln Martin - Grand Junction River Hawks

Mountain Division Star of the Week: Lincoln Martin, Forward, Grand Junction River Hawks

The 18-year-old from Alberta, Canada, Lincoln Martin played an important offensive role for the River Hawks in a three-game set against the Pueblo Peppers. The 5-foot-10 righty recorded his first point on Friday night midway through the opening frame. Martin carried the puck from Grand Junction’s defensive zone to their offensive zone following a Pueblo turnover. He provided the primary helper to Brodie Donovan’s tally. Grand Junction would eventually skate to a 3-2 overtime win over the Peppers. Moving into Saturday night, the 18-year-old recorded a primary assist on Gabriel Simpson’s tally late in the second period. Martin fed the puck to Simpson as he found the net for the first time this season. The River Hawks would eventually fall in 4-1 fashion; however, Martin’s playmaking helped the team to their one and only goal of the night.

Heading into Sunday afternoon, a series win was on the line between the River Hawks and Peppers. The first-year NAHL player lit the lamp midway through the first frame with a goal that went five-hole on Pueblo’s netminder. His goal-scoring ways continued into the final frame as Martin scored in breakaway fashion around the 10-minute mark. This contest marked his first two-goal game of the season, and he skated to a big four-point weekend for Grand Junction.

Head coach of the River Hawks, Dustin Timm, states why this award is deserved for Martin.

“Lincoln Martin earning First Star honors in the Mountain Division is a well-deserved recognition of his hard work and commitment to our team. He continues to set a great example of what it means to ‘Be a Young Pro,’ and we’re excited to see him continue to build on his success.”

2nd Star: Nicolas Rempel, G, Billings Cattle Punchers

3rd Star: Jack Foy, G, Ogden Mustangs

 

South Star of the Week: Gunner Gullstand - Shreveport Mudbugs

South Division Star of the Week: Gunner Gullstrand, Forward, Shreveport Mudbugs

The 2026 NAHL Entry Draft selection for the Shreveport Mudbugs, Gunner Gullstrand, recorded his first NAHL goal and then went on to notch a hat trick for the Louisiana-based club over the weekend. Before his goal-making ways were in full swing, the ‘09 forward recorded an assist on Friday night for the Mudbugs. The 6-foot righty provided the setup to Jeremiah Roberts’ first-period goal. Shreveport would eventually skate to an 8-6 victory and carried their winning ways into the next day.

On Saturday night, the 16-year-old recorded his first NAHL goal with a one-timer late into the first period. Gullstrand picked back up the goal-scoring with a tally from the same spot of the face-off circle midway through the third frame. His final goal of the night to seal the hat trick was fired off in spin-o-rama fashion late into the third period. The Mudbugs skated to a big 5-0 shutout, thanks to his hat trick night.

For the weekend, Gullstrand spotlighted a four-point weekend, scoring a hat trick while recording an assist for the Mudbugs.

Head coach of the Mudbugs, Jason Campbell, explains how Gullstrand is developing and adjusting at the junior level.

“Gunner is a great young talent that is beginning to find his way at the junior level. He has made some minor adjustments to his game and practices that are starting to provide results. He has a great knack for seeing plays develop, distributing the puck, and burying the chances he gets.”

2nd Star: Jackson Silverberg, G, New Mexico Ice Wolves

3rd Star: Antonie Cromier, D, Shreveport Mudbugs

Central Star of the Week: Will Harker - Bismarck Bobcats

Central Division Star of the Week: Will Harker, Forward, Bismarck Bobcats

The 5-foot-9 forward from Pleasanton, California, Will Harker, showcased an impressive weekend in the Bismarck Bobcats’ home opener. The ‘07 skater kicked off his Star of the Week performance on Friday night against the Watertown Shamrocks. Harker opened the scoring for the Bobcats less than five minutes into the contest. The 18-year-old found twine off a rebound in front of Watertown’s net to take the lead. His offensive prowess continued into the second frame as he scored in breakaway fashion to give the Bobcats a 4-1 lead. His final point of the night would be notched in the final frame with a primary assist. Harker helped to get the puck out of Bismarck’s offensive zone and provided the setup for Jake Caffrey’s tally in the last 20 seconds of the game.

Moving into Saturday night, the former T1ER skater recorded an assist in Bismarck’s 4-2 victory over the Shamrocks. His name showed up on the scoresheet early with a secondary assist on Carson Clukies’ opening period tally.

For the weekend, Harker skated to a four-point performance, tallying two goals and two assists for the Bobcats.

Head coach of the Bobcats, Garrett Roth, shares why Harker has been an important piece in Bismarck’s success.

“Will had another great weekend to help propel us towards getting two wins on the weekend. He has been a steady presence in the box score and has made a lot of big plays for us in crucial moments of games. His value to a team is way beyond just the production he has provided this season. Will leads by example and is willing to do whatever it takes for team success. His compete level is a differentiating factor in his game at this level. Will brings qualities that will lead to his success well beyond this year because of his heart and soul approach to the game.  We are pleased as a staff that he is receiving this accolade; it is well deserved!”

Despite being a rookie, Harker has been a force on the ice for Bismarck. In his seven games played so far, he has recorded six goals and seven assists for the North Dakota club. In addition, there has only been one contest in which he hasn’t shown up on the scoresheet.

2nd Star: Carson Clukies, F, Bismarck Bobcats

3rd Star: Dilans Birkans, G, Austin Bruins

East Star of the Week: Matthew Shpungin - Maryland Black Bears

East Division Star of the Week: Matthew Shpungin, Forward, Maryland Black Bears

Hailing from the Garden State, Matthew Shpungin played a valuable role for the reigning Robertson Cup champions over the weekend. The 6-foot righty got his weekend started on Friday night against the Johnstown Tomahawks. The ‘07 skater added to the Black Bears’ lead in the opening frame on the power play with a tip-in goal. The New Jersey native would be critical in the final moments of the game as the contest was forced into a shootout. Shpungin was named as the first skater for the Black Bears in the skills competition and would find twine glove-side of the Tomahawks netminder.

Heading into Saturday night, the second-year NAHL veteran contributed to half of the points on the scoresheet for the Black Bears' 6-3 win over the Tomahawks. The New Jersey native secured his first point of the night with a primary assist on Brayden Wade’s opening period tally. The ‘07 skater continued to showcase his ability to provide the setup for the Black Bears, this time providing a helper on Will Schlechtweg’s power-play tally in the second frame. Shpungin’s final point of the night was in one-timer fashion in the third period for Maryland. The Black Bears earned the weekend sweep over the Tomahawks while Shpungin notched a four-point performance in his two games played.

Head coach of the Black Bears, Clint Mylymok, states how valuable Shpungin has been to the Black Bears.

“Sponge is an extremely talented and versatile player. He has been put in many situations and thrived. Being named Star of the Week is just a feather in his cap. Congrats to Matthew.”

The 6-foot forward has been a critical offensive force for the Black Bears this year, recording four goals and six assists in his nine games played this season.

2nd Star: Mikey Conlon, D, Philadelphia Rebels

3rd Star: Will Schlechtweg, F, Maryland Black Bears

 

Midwest Star of the Week: Oliver Barna - Fairbanks Ice Dogs

Midwest Division Star of the Week: Oliver Barna, Forward, Fairbanks Ice Dogs

The '06 forward from Hungary, Oliver Barna, made an impact in his first weekend back with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. The 6-foot skater dominated on the scoresheet on Friday night against the Springfield Jr. Blues. Barna got to work quickly in the contest, finding twine 45 seconds into the game. The Fairbanks veteran carried the puck from the Ice Dogs’ defensive zone to their offensive zone to find twine in breakaway fashion. Moving into the second frame, the ‘06 skater added to Fairbanks’ lead by burying the puck off a rebound six minutes into the period. His scoring ways continued in the middle frame as Barna capitalized on a turnover in the neutral zone and went to score in short-handed fashion for the Midwest Division club. In his first game back to the Ice Dogs, Barna recorded a hat trick in the team’s 5-0 win over the Springfield Jr. Blues.

On Saturday night, Barna contributed to half of the Ice Dogs' points. The Fairbanks veteran got his night started with a primary assist on Dub Eunice III’s power-play goal. He continued his playmaking ways later in the frame, this time providing the feed for Harrison Kaszubowski’s one-timer power-play goal. Barna’s night was not done on the scoresheet as he scored for himself in one-timer fashion in the final period of regulation for the Ice Dogs. He helped to lift the Ice Dogs to a weekend sweep while spotlighting a six-point performance.

Head coach of the Ice Dogs, Dakota Bell, shares more on Barna’s performance.

“Oliver being named Midwest Division Star of the Week in his first weekend back with the team is an incredible accomplishment. He seamlessly transitioned back into our locker room, and that comfort and confidence showed on the ice with his performances this past weekend. We have tremendous trust and belief in Oliver, and he’s already returned that faith by helping our team win games. He’s extremely coachable, works hard, and wants to get better every day.”

Bell went on to explain how valuable he is on and off the ice for Fairbanks.

“There’s no doubt Oliver is a big part of our team. We’re excited to continue helping him develop, reach his goals, and make the most of the opportunity we have in front of us this year.”

The Fairbanks veteran returns to the Ice Dogs off a dominating 2025-26 campaign. The ‘06 forward registered over a point per game in the regular season. Barna registered 69 points in 59 games played for the Midwest Division club. His offensive ability on the ice ranked him first, with 32 goals and 69 points in regular-season play for his team last year.

2nd Star: Aiden Hicock, F, Wisconsin Windigo

3rd Star: Jack McKenna, F, Anchorage Wolverines

 

Mountain Star of the Week: Joey Kubas - Billings Cattle Punchers

Mountain Division Star of the Week: Joey Kubas, Forward, Billings Cattle Punchers

In his first weekend as a Cattle Puncher, Joey Kubas, showed up big on the scoresheet in the team’s third-period pushes both nights. The State of Hockey skater on Friday recorded his first points in the League of Opportunity. Kubas showed up on the scoresheet with a secondary assist on Taylor Butt’s tally midway through the final period of regulation. The ‘06 forward won the faceoff to provide the setup to Butt’s goal. Later on in the frame, Kubas would shift momentum for the Cattle Punchers in their home opener by firing a shot from the point while scoring his first NAHL goal. Billings would fall in 5-3 fashion; however, the 20-year-old helped to swing momentum in the Cattle Punchers’ favor in the final minutes of the contest.

Heading into Saturday night, the game was tight in the third frame as the Grand Junction River Hawks led 4-3. With less than 20 seconds to spare, Kubas put pressure on the River Hawks’ netminder and provided a helper on Landon Jamieson’s tally to even the score while forcing an extra frame. Billings would battle back to take the contest in overtime.

Kubas skates away with a three-point weekend and his first Star of the Week honors.

Head coach of the Cattle Punchers, Steve Haddon, describes what has impressed him the most about the newest Billings skater.

“I have been tracking Joey's career and have watched him grow over the last couple of seasons. When we had the opportunity to acquire him, we knew what we were getting with his hockey IQ, his junior experience, and his professionalism. For him to come in right before the series, perform, and contribute right away is not easy. We're really excited to have him and can’t wait to see what he can accomplish this season.”

2nd Star: Reid Taylor, F, Grand Junction River Hawks

3rd Star: Jake Spraetz, Forward, Pueblo Peppers

 

South Star of the Week: Ryan Baert - Shreveport Mudbugs

South Division Star of the Week: Ryan Baert, Forward, Shreveport Mudbugs

The ‘07 Shreveport veteran, Ryan Baert, showed up big in back-to-back nights for the Shreveport Mudbugs. The 5-foot-7 gets his Friday night started with his first goal of the season early in the opening frame. Baert finds twine off the faceoff five minutes into the game. His second tally of the night was scored in the second period. As New Mexico’s netminder comes out of his net, Baert capitalizes on the loose puck and finds twine to regain Shreveport’s lead. The Mudbug forward’s night did not end there as Baert provided a helper on Jeremiah Roberts’ game-tying goal in the third period. This contest was eventually forced into overtime and a shootout, where Shreveport took the victory on home ice. The London, Ontario, skater recorded a three-point night contributing to all three goals in regulation. This contest marked the second time the Shreveport skater recorded a three-point night in his  NAHL career.

Heading into Saturday night, the ‘07 skater recorded a first-period tally to even the score for the Mudbugs. Shreveport eventually went on to notch a 5-2 win and a weekend sweep over the New Mexico Ice Wolves. For the weekend, Baert spotlighted a four-point performance for the Mudbugs.

Head coach of the Mudbugs, Jason Campbell, went into detail on what it means to see Baert be recognized.

“It’s great to see Ryan break through this weekend. He’s off to a good start this season, and it all started with his offseason training and coming to Shreveport in great shape. He’s been generating several chances for himself and his teammates, and they capitalized this past weekend. He’s been contributing in all areas of the game, special teams, and full strength.”

2nd Star: Aidan Bergner, F, El Paso Rhinos

3rd Star: Ben Vatis, G, Odessa Jackalopes

 

Central Star of the Week: Justin Bartley - Watertown Shamrocks

Central Division Star of the Week: Justin Bartley, Defenseman, Watertown Shamrocks

The 6-foot-3 captain from Chicago, Illinois, Justin Bartley skates to a six-point weekend for the Shamrocks at the annual NAHL Showcase. Bartley is a veteran defenseman of the Shamrocks, playing for the South Dakota-based team since its inception. His offensive performance on the ice started on Wednesday at the NAHL Showcase against the Wisconsin Windigo with a two-point night. He first showed up on the scoresheet with a tally as the power play was expiring for the Shamrocks in the second frame. His next point in the contest would come in helper fashion for Watertown in the third. Bartley carried the puck across the neutral zone into Watertown’s offensive zone to set up Kyle Greene’s goal.

Moving into Friday morning at the Super Rink, the 6-foot-3 blueliner recorded another multi-point contest for the Shamrocks. Bartley showed up in the opening frame on the scoresheet with a primary assist on Justin Obrochta’s second tally. He added another assist with less than a minute on the clock on Owen Chartier’s short-handed goal in the final frame.

The ‘06 defenseman finished out his NAHL Showcase with another two-point game, this time against the Corpus Christi IceRays on Saturday afternoon. Bartley scored on the power play through traffic in the second frame to give his team the 2-0 advantage heading into the third period. In the final period of regulation, the captain provided the setup once again for his team, registering another power-play point in the contest. Thanks to his help, Watertown swept the NAHL Showcase and returned to Watertown on a three-game heater.

In the three games played, Bartley produced six points for the Central Division club. He tallied two goals while recording four assists for the Shamrocks.

Head coach of the Shamrocks, Casey Kirley, shares more on Bartley’s impact on and off the ice.

“Justin has been both a great player and leader for us over the past three seasons. He uses his skating, poise with the puck, and defending abilities to make an impact on every game. He is also a leader both in the locker room and in the community. We are grateful to see Justin be rewarded for his efforts this past week and look forward to his continued success throughout the season.”

2nd Star: Brendan Espenell, D, Bismarck Bobcats

3rd Star: Mason Gudridge, G, Watertown Shamrocks

 

East Star of the Week: Dominic Pajkic - Northeast Generals

East Division Star of the Week: Dominic Pajkic, Defenseman, Northeast Generals

The ‘08 defenseman from St. Clair Shores, Michigan, Dominic Pajkic, played a huge role from the blue line and highlighted a six-point performance for the Generals at the NAHL Showcase. The Western Michigan commit got his week started with a Wednesday night battle against the Lone Star Brahmas. The 18-year-old lefty produced a primary assist on Jack Messick’s tally in the second period for the Generals.

His skating ability from the blue line continued into the remainder of the Showcase, specifically on Thursday afternoon with a three-point performance against the Kenai River Brown Bears. Pajkic notched his first assist on Emil Szepesi’s goal midway through the second frame. The ‘08 defenseman recorded his next point with a setup on Logan Poulin’s power-play goal at the start of the third frame. His final assist of the game would be in the final minutes of the game as he kept the puck out of Northeast’s defensive zone and went on to provide the assist on Matthew Lacombe’s tally in the contest. The Generals skate to a big 7-3 victory with the help of him on the ice.

In Pajkic’s final game of the weekend, the ‘08 lefty recorded a two-point game on Friday morning against the Houston Bulls. His first assist of the contest was in helper fashion for Logan Poulin’s first-period goal. His final point of the weekend would be in the final minute of the game, this time providing an assist on Braydon Hudtloff’s goal.

Pajkic skates away from the weekend with six assists across the three games for the Northeast Generals.

Head coach of the Generals, Bryan Erikson, describes the impact Pajkic has had for the team so far.

“Dom has been outstanding for us since day one. He was a big target for us this offseason and has not disappointed. His ability to move pucks is great, but his work on the d-side and his toughness have really stood out. It’s nice seeing that I have a younger d-man who can be trusted in all three zones. I am really excited to watch Dom’s continued development.”

2nd Star: Ben Varsa, G, Philadelphia Rebels

3rd Star: Evan Kensey, F, Johnstown Tomahawks

 

Midwest Star of the Week: Izaak Kalis - Fairbanks Ice Dogs

Midwest Division Star of the Week: Izaak Kalis, Goaltender, Fairbanks Ice Dogs

The State of Hockey netminder, Izaak Kalis, dominated the crease for the Ice Dogs in his two games played at the NAHL Showcase. His weekend started in a Wednesday night matchup against a longtime former foe, the Bismarck Bobcats. The 6-foot goaltender turned aside 26 out of 27 shots by the Bobcats while recording a .963 save percentage and 1.00 goals-against average for Fairbanks.

Moving into Saturday night, the ‘07 Little Falls, Minnesota native was perfect between the pipes and stopped all 47 shots by the USNTDP. Kalis posted his first shutout of the season for the Midwest Division club and helped to lift the Ice Dogs to a 4-0 victory. His work in net for Fairbanks was one of the many reasons why the Ice Dogs skated to a win over USNTDP.

For the weekend, the ‘07 Minnesota goaltender recorded two wins, notched a 0.50 goals-against average and a .986 save percentage. He turned aside a total of 73 out of 74 shots on net in his two games played.

Head coach of the Ice Dogs, Dakota Bell, shares more on why he is not surprised that Kalis is going home with accolades.

“Hearing that Izaak has been named Star of the Week for our division is no surprise, as he was extremely valuable to us at the showcase. He helped us secure two victories with phenomenal performances against really strong teams in Bismarck and Team USA 17s.”

Bell explains why Kalis has found success so quickly with Fairbanks.

“Izaak approaches the game with a smile on his face every day and loves playing the game. He’s always sure to mention his teammates and gives credit to them, so seeing him get recognized here is great. When Izaak is in the net, his teammates trust him, and that allows the five guys playing in front of him to be creative and play with confidence. We are lucky to have him, and we can’t wait to see what else he’s able to achieve with us this season as he chases his Division I commitment.”

2nd Star: Hans Hedlund, F, Janesville Jets

3rd Star: Karim Kazhibekov, F, Kenai River Brown Bears

 

Mountain Star of the Week: Joey Fankhanel - Billings Cattle Punchers

Mountain Division Star of the Week: Joey Fankhanel, Forward, Billings Cattle Punchers

The 6-foot-4 righty from the State of Hockey, Joey Fankhanel, dominated offensively on the ice for the Cattle Punchers and recorded a six-point week at the NAHL Showcase. His offensive ability kicks off on Wednesday against the Minnesota Mallards. The NAHL veteran showed up first on the scoresheet with a primary assist on Devon Winder’s tally midway through the opening frame. Fankhanel utilized his speed to help make the passing play to get Billings on the board first. Following his opening period performance, the Minnesota native goes top-shelf from the point in the second frame to regain Billings’ lead. He finished out his performance with one more tally in the final minute of the game to give the Cattle Punchers a decisive 4-2 victory.

Moving into Friday afternoon, the NAHL veteran sported a two-point performance in his team’s 5-3 win over the Oklahoma Warriors. Fankhanel was able to gain possession of the puck following a faceoff in the first frame. He would provide the setup to Landon Jamieson’s tally midway through the period. His skill in capitalizing off the faceoff continued into the third frame as the 6-foot-4 forward scored from the point while on the power play for the Cattle Punchers. He helped to lift his team to another victory at the Showcase.

To end his NAHL Showcase experience, on Saturday morning the Minnesota native recorded one more assist for his team, this time in power-play fashion on Devon Winder’s opening period tally. Fankhanel skated to a six-point performance and was a major contributor to his team’s success for the start of the year.

Head coach of the Cattle Punchers, Steve Haddon, explains how Fankhanel’s ability on and off the ice has been one of the reasons for Billings’ quick success.

“Joey has been a true professional since day one of camp. He has come in and been a leader by example. He’s putting in the work, and he’s definitely getting rewarded. He has been a big part of our team having a solid start to the season. I’m excited to see what he can accomplish this season.”

2nd Star: Jack Foy, G, Ogden Mustangs

3rd Star: Jonathon Pylypuik, F, Pueblo Peppers

 

South Star of the Week: Hugo Zetterlund - Lone Star Brahmas

South Division Star of the Week: Hugo Zetterlund, Forward, Lone Star Brahmas

The 5-foot-11 righty, Hugo Zetterlund, lit up the scoresheet night after night for the Lone Star Brahmas at the NAHL Showcase. Zetterlund’s offensive prowess kicked off on Wednesday afternoon against the Northeast Generals. The first-year Brahma showed up on the scoresheet with a primary assist on Leo Lundblad’s opening period tally. The Swede would then record another point for Lone Star with a helper on Dylan Chernoff’s late second-period goal. Zetterlund would light the lamp for the first time in the contest himself with a quick third-period goal to give the Brahmas the advantage once again in the tight contest with the Generals. As the matchup moved into overtime and an eventual shootout, the 5-foot-11 forward would be crucial in lifting the Brahmas to a shootout win. Zetterlund found twine in the third round of the shootout and helped to give the South Division club a 5-4 victory.

Moving into Friday night against the USNTDP, the first-year Brahma got the scoring started for Lone Star with a power-play tally midway through the second period. Zetterlund beat the Mason Martin short-side to give his team their first goal of the night. The Brahmas would eventually take the win in 3-0 fashion with the help of him on the ice.

On Saturday afternoon, the Brahmas took on the Janesville Jets in their final game of the NAHL Showcase. The 5-foot-11 skater scored with a little over eight minutes on the clock in the first period with a power-play one-timer for the Brahmas.

For his NAHL Showcase, Zetterlund spotlighted a three-goal and two-assist performance for the Lone Star Brahmas.

Head coach of the Brahmas, Dan Wildfong, states how big of an impact the Swedish skater was for Lone Star last week.

“We are super proud and happy for Hugo this past week. He has come to the United States and immediately found success in a different playing style. We are excited as he pursues his NCAA Division I aspirations.”

2nd Star: Mike Azzarone, F, Corpus Christi IceRays

3rd Star: Dimitri Tioumentsev, F, Lone Star Brahmas

Central Star of the Week: Maddox Malmquist - Bismarck Bobcats

Central Division Star of the Week: Maddox Malmquist, Forward, Bismarck Bobcats

The 5-foot-10 lefty, Maddox Malmquist, had a huge offensive debut in the League of Opportunity for the Bobcats. His offensive tear started on Friday night with two tallies in the opening frame for the Bobcats. His first goal was scored in short-handed breakaway fashion thanks to a feed by Will Harker less than two minutes into the contest. His second tally was notched on the man advantage and off a rebound in front of St. Cloud’s net with 2:01 left on the clock. The Bemidji State commit continued his scoring ways into the second frame with a one-timer on the power play for the Bobcats. In the span of the first 22 minutes of the matchup, Malmquist scored a hat trick for the Central Division club. The ‘08 forward’s night was not over on the scoresheet; Malmquist recorded one more point, this time providing the set-up for Harker’s tally in the second frame. The 5-foot-10 rounds out his debut game with Bismarck with a four-point night.

Moving into Saturday night, the Bemidji State commit continued his scoring ways on the power play for the North Dakota-based club. Malmquist gets the scoring started for the Bobcats in the first frame with a top-shelf tally on the man advantage. His second goal of the night would be the final marker of the night for Bismarck. With 7:16 left in the game, Malmquist lights the lamp with a backdoor power-play goal.

For the weekend, the ‘08 forward skated to a six-point performance for the Bobcats. He tallied five goals and an assist over the two-game set. The 5-foot-11 lefty was effective on special teams, scoring four of his goals on the power play and one tally short-handed. He ends his debut weekend with a +7 rating on the ice.

Head coach of the Bobcats, Garrett Roth, talks more about what impressed him from Malmquist’s performance.

“Our group had a nice start to the season, and Maddox was a huge factor in us getting two wins on the weekend. His goal-scoring and offensive ability were on full display, but he played with a ton of pace and energy to help lead our team in being hard to play against. Maddox was able to play in all three phases of the game for us, and we felt he was one of our best penalty killers, which added to the difference he was able to make in the games. It was a great start for him, his line, and our group. We are looking forward to him building on his performance heading into this week.”

2nd Star: Will Harker, F, Bismarck Bobcats

3rd Star: Kyle Sorensen, F, Austin Bruins

East Star of the Week: Matt Maglio - Elmira Aviators

East Division Star of the Week: Matt Maglio, Forward, Elmira Aviators

The 6-foot-3 righty from Ringwood, New Jersey, Matt Maglio, was an offensive force for the Aviators over the weekend. Starting on Friday night, the third-year veteran recorded five points in Elmira’s 7-5 victory over the New Hampshire Mountain Kings. Maglio got his night started with a power-play assist on Timofei Korober’s goal in the opening frame. He continued his night with another assist, this time in the middle frame with 25 seconds on the clock for Lucas Novak’s goal. Moving into the final period of the contest, the game would be tied 4-4 between the two East Division clubs. New Hampshire would take the lead with a power-play goal with a little over five minutes on the clock. With the help of Matt Maglio on the ice, Elmira was able to battle back with three straight goals in the last four minutes of the contest. His playmaking started with a power-play assist on Cruz Ferguson’s tally. He then set up Nico Pohjola’s power-play goal. To round out his night, he scored the final tally of the contest, marking his first of the season.

Moving into Saturday, the alternate captain lit the lamp on two occasions for the New York-based club. Maglio opened the scoring with an unassisted power-play tally in the first period. The third-year veteran would finish up his weekend with another power-play goal, this time in the third frame for the Aviators.

For the weekend, the ‘06 forward registered seven points, tallying three goals and four assists over the two-game series.

Head coach of the Aviators, Leeor Shtrom explains what he saw from the Elmira veteran.

“Matt had a big summer, came back stronger and faster. He’s hard to handle in between the dots. We are looking forward to seeing him continue to keep getting better.”

2nd Star: Nico Pohjola, F, Elmira Aviators

3rd Star: Vincent Glos, D, Maryland Black Bears

Midwest Star of the Week: Dean Andrews - Fairbanks Ice Dogs

Midwest Division Star of the Week: Dean Andrews, Defenseman, Fairbanks Ice Dogs

The ‘06 defenseman from Park Ridge, Illinois, Dean Andrews played a key offensive role from the blue line for the Midwest Division club. The third-year NAHL veteran got his weekend started on Friday night with a three-point performance. Andrews first showed up on the scoresheet with an assist on Ben Green’s tally in the opening frame. The Park Ridge, Illinois, native notched his next point of the night in power-play fashion. Andrews fired from the blue line in the second period, recording his first goal of the season for the Ice Dogs. His final point of the night against the Minnesota Mallards would come just seconds later in the middle frame as he provided the set-up to Dane Gatmaitan’s power-play goal.

Heading into Saturday night, the third-year veteran repeats his second-period performance, this time against the Janesville Jets. While the Ice Dogs were on the penalty kill, Ryan Shanahan was able to force a turnover of the puck in Fairbanks’ defensive zone. Andrews would then carry the puck across the neutral zone and score in breakaway fashion for the Ice Dogs. His ability to aid Fairbanks’ offensive efforts continued minutes later as he provided the primary assist on Dane Gatmaitan’s power-play tally in the middle frame. He skated to his second multi-point game for the Midwest Division club.

For the weekend, the 6-foot blueliner recorded five points for the Alaska-based club. He tallied two goals and recorded three assists for the Ice Dogs’ two-game set.

Head coach of the Ice Dogs, Dakota Bell, explains in detail what it means to see the Fairbanks veteran earn recognition for his work on the ice this past weekend.

“As one of our veteran players, it’s great to see Dean recognized on our first weekend of action for his performances. Dean put in a ton of work in the gym this offseason, and he’s come into camp from day one with a point to prove. Since we acquired him a couple of years ago, all he’s done is get better every day and continue to develop. Combine that with the experience and leadership he brings, and we have a pretty special player on our hands. Dean’s success this year will come from his skating, as he’s one of the most mobile defensemen in the NAHL. He plays in all situations for us and is someone we’ll lean on heavily as we prepare for the Showcase this coming week!”

2nd Star: Dane Gatmaitan, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs

3rd Star: Ryan Lucarelli, F, Minnesota Mallards

Mountain Star of the Week: Nicolas Rempel - Billings Cattle Punchers

Mountain Division Star of the Week: Nicolas Rempel, Goaltender, Billings Cattle Punchers

The 6-foot-2 NAHL veteran, Nicolas Rempel, takes home the first Mountain Division weekly honor with back-to-back wins in the blue paint. On Friday night, the ‘06 netminder turned aside 34 out of 36 shots in the Cattle Punchers’ inaugural game as a team. The two goals scored on him in the contest were both power-play tallies by the Grand Junction River Hawks. Rempel skates away with a .944 save percentage in the Friday night opener. Moving into Saturday, the third-year NAHL goaltender topped his previous night’s performance with 41 saves in net, marking an NAHL career high for him. He posted a .953 save percentage from the contest while earning his second win of the season.  

For the weekend, Rempel turned aside 75 out of 79 shots for the Montana-based team. He recorded a 2.00 goals-against average and a .949 save percentage for the Mountain Division club.

Head coach of the Cattle Punchers, Steven Haddon, explains why Rempel was a key piece in their Cattle Punchers’ success over the weekend.

“Remps showed his experience and the value of what he brings to our team this weekend. That’s why we went out and acquired him. He brings all those elements you need in a starting goalie. He allowed our team to find ourselves. Being brand new, we had some rough moments this weekend, and he was there giving us time to reset and find our game.”

2nd Star: Evan Foiles, F, Billings Cattle Punchers

3rd Star: Dylan McFadyen, G, Idaho Falls Spud Kings

South Star of the Week: Jakob Hanlan - Oklahoma Warriors

South Division Star of the Week: Jakob Hanlan, Goaltender, Oklahoma Warriors

The 6-foot-1 netminder from Gatineau, Quebec, Canada, Jakob Hanlan spotlighted back-to-back dominating performances in the blue paint for the Oklahoma Warriors. Starting on Friday night, Hanlan turned aside 37 out of 39 shots in the Warriors’ 3-2 victory over the New Mexico Ice Wolves. He recorded a .949 save percentage from the opening night contest. Moving into Saturday night, the second-year NAHL veteran continued his dominance in the blue paint, this time stopping 33 out of 34 shots by the Ice Wolves. The ‘07 goaltender featured a .971 save percentage from the Saturday night affair.

Thanks to his work in the blue paint, Hanlan recorded a 1.50 goals-against average and a .959 save percentage for the Oklahoma-based club. He played a critical role in lifting his team to a weekend sweep over the Ice Wolves.

Head coach of the Warriors, Eric Ballard, shares more on the second-year veteran’s performance between the pipes.

“Hanlan was spectacular between the pipes for us all weekend long. He made saves that kept us moving forward and gave us the chances to win two big games. Extremely happy with his performance, to say the least.”

2nd Star: Oliver Czaja, F, Corpus Christi IceRays

3rd Star: Nikola Kharinov, F, Amarillo Wranglers

 

East Star of the Week: Logan Poulin - Northeast Generals

East Division Star of the Week: Logan Poulin, Forward, Northeast Generals

The King of Cape Cod strikes again, this time in the season opener for the Generals. Logan Poulin earns East Division Star of the Week honors after a three-point night Saturday against the Johnstown Tomahawks. The NAHL’s 2025-26 Rookie of the Year got his night started by recording a secondary assist on the Generals’ opening goal. The captain would add to the Generals’ lead with a power-play tally himself in the middle frame. To finish his three-point night, Poulin scored his second goal on the man advantage, this time in top-shelf fashion for the East Division club. The 5-foot-11 forward contributed to half of the goals in the Generals’ 6-3 victory.

Head coach of the Generals, Bryan Erikson, went into detail on how the second-year veteran played a key role in Northeast’s success this past weekend.

“Logan is a special person and player. Offensively, he picked up right where he left off. He is an elite goal-scorer. But as a Captain, I thought he did an amazing job keeping the boys focused on the next shift. He played hard in all three zones and set the standard for how we want to play shift after shift. I am really proud of Logan for how hard he works on his game. He just keeps getting better and better.”

2nd Star: Michael Iliff, G, Maryland Black Bears

3rd Star: Dominic Pajkic, D, Northeast Generals

Midwest Star of the Week: Jakeb Lynch - Minnesota Wilderness

Midwest Division Star of the Week: Jakeb Lynch, Forward, Minnesota Wilderness

The ‘07 forward from Nebraska, Jakeb Lynch, featured a dominant offensive performance on the ice this past weekend for the Wilderness. The Miami University commit registered six points for the Midwest Division club’s opening weekend. Lynch kicked off his 2026-27 campaign with a four-point performance on Friday night. His name showed up on the scoresheet early in the contest with a tip-in tally in the opening frame. Lynch would record his next point with a primary assist on Jackson Lackas’ power-play goal in the second period. His offensive edge would carry in the period with another tip-in tally for the Wilderness, to give his team the insurance marker. His final primary assist of the night came in the third frame for Kash Crawford’s goal. Lynch helped to lift his team in a big 10-5 victory over the Wisconsin Windigo.

Moving into Saturday, the 19-year-old continued his scoring ways with a two-goal night for the Midwest Division club. Lynch got his night started with a goal off a rebound from the Wisconsin netminder late in the first period. His second tally of the game was scored in top-shelf fashion for the Wilderness in the final period. He helped Minnesota secure the sweep with a big 7-2 win in game two against the Windigo.

Head coach of the Wilderness, Sam Graham, shares more on what it means to see Lynch earn the recognition.

“Lynchy is a special talent, and he showcased that this weekend. I am glad he’s getting the recognition he deserves, and I am confident this is the first of many.”

2nd Star: Nathan Mach, G, Janesville Jets

3rd Star: Kevin Lysohir, F, Minnesota Wilderness

 

South Star of the Week: Vincenzo Capano - Lone Star Brahmas

South Division Star of the Week: Vincenzo Capano, Forward, Lone Star Brahmas

The 6-foot forward from New Jersey, Vincenzo Capano, spotlighted a big seven-point weekend for the Brahmas. The Army-West Point commit kicked off his age-out season with a three-point performance for Lone Star on Friday night. Capano contributed on the scoresheet first with a primary assist on Nolan Wildfong’s tally in the first period. The captain would shortly go on to score the first goal of his 2026-27 campaign in a silky backdoor fashion for the Brahmas. His final point of the night would be registered in the opening frame when he provided the helper to Jackson Vaites’ goal.

Heading into Saturday night, the captain was critical in lifting the Brahmas to a 4-3 overtime win against the Amarillo Wranglers. The veteran skater contributed to every Lone Star goal in the contest. His first point was notched with a helper on Dylan Chernoff’s goal in the first period. His ability to set up a goal would continue into the second frame as he provided the primary assist on Jackson Vaites’ tally. As the contest moved into the third period, Capano took it into his own hands as he scored on the power play off a rebounded shot in front of Amarillo’s net less than a  minute into the final period of regulation. With the game tied, the matchup would be forced into overtime, and that is when the Army-West Point commit delivered for the Brahmas. With less than a minute left of the extra frame, Capano forced a turnover and went on to score a top-shelf goal for Lone Star. He secured the overtime win and a weekend sweep for the Brahmas.

Capano rounded out his weekend with three goals and four assists during the weekend set.

Head coach of the Brahmas, Dan Wildfong, shares more on the impact of Capano this past weekend.

“Vinny made another step in his development while carrying the team. He put the team on his back this past weekend. He is at another level and is playing college hockey in juniors right now.”

2nd Star: Cody Niesen, G, Odessa Jackalopes

3rd Star: William-Alexis Tremblay, F, Shreveport Mudbugs